Embark on a 181-mile journey from Arlington, VA, to Concord, VA, a drive that will take approximately 3 hours and 58 minutes. This 1-day trip is easily manageable, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll be spending about 50% of your time on highways, with the remaining portion on other main roads like US 29, North Seminole Trail, and Custis Memorial Parkway. Expect a fuel cost of around $28 for this trip. This route offers a mixed driving experience as you travel within the Southeast region of Virginia, providing a straightforward path to Concord.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.5 miles from Arlington, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 181 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive presents a mixed profile, with highways accounting for roughly 50% of the total mileage. You'll experience stretches on major roadways alongside sections of US 29, North Seminole Trail, and Custis Memorial Parkway. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is about 63.3 miles on US 29, offering a sustained period of travel before potential transitions. The road's character will likely shift throughout the journey, moving from more open highway driving to potentially more varied conditions on the non-highway portions.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Fairfax Drive.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 181 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Fairfax Drive
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip|~8m in|I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
28.8 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43A
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
8
29.6 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton
6
40.3 mi into trip|~55m in|US 15; US 29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 South, US 29 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Concord, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Warrenton along the way.
Warrenton
28.8 mi in|~38m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 29
63.3 mi
1h 17m
North Seminole Trail
33.8 mi
47m
Custis Memorial Parkway
27.5 mi
34m
James Madison Highway
23.3 mi
30m
Lee Highway
10.6 mi
15m
James Monroe Highway
7.8 mi
9m
Richmond Highway
7.4 mi
9m
Eastern Bypass
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 29
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, VA and Concord, VA.
1
Start on Wilson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Wilson Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto VA 120
0.2 mi·30 sec·North Glebe Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto Fairfax Drive
0.1 mi·27 sec·Fairfax Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 66 Toll West
5
Merge onto I 66
3.3 mi·4 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 66
24 mi·29 min·Custis Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 43AToward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 29 South: Gainesville, WarrentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 29
11 mi·15 min·Lee Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
0.5 mi·44 sec·US 15; US 29
Toward US 15 South, US 29 South
11
Merge onto US 15; US 17; US 29
2.6 mi·3 min·Eastern Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29
5.1 mi·7 min·James Madison Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29
18 mi·23 min·James Madison Highway
14
Continue on US 29
7.8 mi·9 min·James Monroe Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 29
34 mi·47 min·North Seminole Trail
16
Continue on US 29
0.3 mi·41 sec·Emmet Street North
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 29
63 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 29
Toward US 29 South, US 250 West
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward US 460 East: Appomattox
19
Merge onto US 460
7.4 mi·9 min·Richmond Highway
Toward US 460 East: Appomattox
20
Turn right onto VA 24
0.5 mi·58 sec·Village Highway
21
Turn left onto SR 609
73 ft·2 sec·Phoebe Pond Road
22
Arrive at destination
SR 609
Trip Plan
Given the under 4-hour duration, this route is well-suited for a single day trip. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination or upon arrival. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on US 29. The estimated fuel cost is $28, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, especially as you'll be covering about 181 miles. Keep an eye on road conditions as you transition between highway and non-highway segments.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 90.5 miles from Arlington, VA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 40 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.5 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Concord, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, VA
This is one driving day of about 181 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Arlington, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 29 for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90.5 mi from Arlington, VA
· 2h 2m into the drive
The midpoint is around 90.5 miles from Arlington, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 miles.
Arriving in Concord, VA
The final approach into Concord, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Concord, VA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Question...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 181
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$30
near mile 81.1
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 18.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.30 one way
$56.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.95
$61.90
premium
$4.70
$33.50
$67.00
diesel
$5.61
$39.96
$79.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.3
0
$19.01
$8.69
Efficient EV
45.3
0
$15.84
$7.24
EV Truck/SUV
72.4
0
$25.34
$11.58
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Arlington, VA
Afternoon
in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Concord, VA
Afternoon
in Concord on Thursday
Local time
4:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, VA to Concord, VA covers 181 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 29, North Seminole Trail, Custis Memorial Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.5 miles from Arlington, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.30 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 181 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Fairfax Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 66 / Custis Memorial Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Arlington, VA to Concord, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Warrenton along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Shenandoah National Park and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
